IAUC President accompanies journalists receiving backlash to DC

IAUC President Peter Kissel accompanied the Northern Ireland journalists who are being persecuted for producing the explosive documentary No Stone Unturned in a round of meetings in Washington DC on February 26. Producer Trevor Birney and investigative journalist Barry McCaffrey and their lawyer Niall Murphy travelled to the United States to rally support for their cause. Birney and McCaffrey have been arrested by the PSNI on a baseless charge of stealing documents, while the PSNI continues to turn a blind eye to the real murderers implicated in the 1994 Loughinisland Massacre. Birney, McCaffrey and Murphy met with the Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press (RCFP) and were welcomed by a large and enthusiastic contingent, including RCFP lawyers, Policy Director, Communications Director, and others. The reporters were spellbound by the story told by Birney and McCaffrey, and committed to actively assisting in exposing the miscarriage of justice. In particular, the press committee members agreed to work with Attorney Murphy by filing an Amicus Curiae (“Friend of the Court”) brief in support of the journalists’ lawsuit against the PSNI.

After the meeting with the reporters, the contingent then met with Congressmen Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania and Richie Neal of Massachusetts. Both Congressmen arranged to take time away from their obligations on the House Ways and Means Committee to welcome us. Trevor and Barry returned to Ireland later the same day very much heartened by the reception they received in Washington.